Chapter X

The night grew darker as Evelyn arrived at the swampy, foggy boundaries of Black Swan. She heard cries of laughter and celebration grow louder as she approached the ruins and high land of the Spanish Mission. She dismounted her horse, her dress becoming muddy from the soils filth at her feet. The men looked over at her, cheering with joy. She curtsied at the applause of the militia, noticing Dan Scott come forth towards her, bowing with his hat in hand.

"The Colonel would like to see you since you've arrived," he explained with a cheerful smile upon his face. She nodded her head in understanding, following him down the narrow dirt path, filled with the men on the edges. She approached the end of the path, seeing Dan Scott pull the sheet that still remained hanging to let her enter in front. She nodded in gratitude for his politeness and entered towards the other side of the sheet with him following. Benjamin, Gabriel and Jean were sitting around the fire, wine bottles in their grasp.

"Evelyn Moore has returned," Dan pointed out as she stood beside him with a smile of approval.

"Very good, you may go as you were," Benjamin informed waiting for Scott's departure. He left leaving her alone with them. Benjamin stood from his place walking up to her with a satisfied smile.

"You did good," he complimented his smile remaining. Evelyn smiled at him in return. "So?"

"Well you did scare the Great Cornwallis that is for sure. He was shouting at Tavington as soon as the explosion took place," she explained with a laugh. "I did however find some maps in Cornwallis' quarters. It had a whole map of South Carolina and routes in which he was taking. I'm not quite sure exactly where he was expected to take route of next I'm afraid."

"Well that's not surprising," Benjamin replied. "I don't believe he'll ever give up his planning until this is all over."

"Well now that we've scared off the Redcoats, what do you suggest we do?" Gabriel asked.

"Our supplies are running low if I may recall," Jean remarked in an urgent manner.

"He's right. I'll bring the men with me and we'll visit Mr. Howard in the morning for some inventory," Benjamin informed. Evelyn nodded in approval. "Now go get some sleep so you'll be good to ride in the morning."

Evelyn nodded, departing from their presence. She sat down on the log, taking off her shoes, slipping on her pants while the men made their beds. She threw off her dress, revealing her corset, but instantly pulling her uniform shirt over it. She hid behind one of the trees even though the men were asleep, untying her corset strings, and struggling to take it off. As she finally jerked it off completely, she was able to breathe again. She buttoned her shirt with the corset in her hand and placed it down on the ground with her dress that she had worn. She laid down on a pile of blankets that she had set there a while ago, resting her head on her uniform jacket, allowing sleep to overcome her from her weary night.

That morning, the troops awoke from Benjamin's calls, forcing for all of them to saddle up their horses. Evelyn awoke, putting on her navy blue jacket and black-rimmed hat upon her head. She grabbed her rifle that leaned against the ruins of stone, heading out towards her horse with great haste as everyone began to pack away their things for their travel home. She caught up with Gabriel and Benjamin as they mounted upon their horses beside her, riding off into the distant fields towards the town.

It took them a few miles to ride but it was nearly daybreak as they arrived. As they approached the town, women and children raced up to them with smiling faces. The men dismounted off their horses, greeting their wives and children as they returned home. Evelyn dismounted off her horse beside Gabriel. She looked at the Howard's small home as Gabriel's eyes directed towards it. She smiled at the thought.

"Well," she began to get his attention, smiling teasingly. Gabriel looked back at her with question. "Are you just going to stare at it all day or are you actually going to go in and see Anne?"

Gabriel smiled at her joking manner then headed towards the small wooden gate that surrounded entrance.

"Good luck," she called out as he made his way towards the door. He nodded in approval entering into Anne Howard's home, his nerves becoming rather eager. Evelyn smiled as he entered, turning back towards the group for instruction. She went to Benjamin, taking off her hat.

"So what do we do now sir?" she questioned with a slight bit of concern. Benjamin turned around from the sound of her voice.

"Come with me, I'll ask Mr. Howard where the inventory is and you can help the men get them into the wagons we brought," he replied in an orderly way. He made his way towards the Howard home with Evelyn following him from behind. He knocked on the door twice then entering shortly afterwards.

Mr. Howard turned as he faintly heard the front door open with a slight screech. He smiled in cheerfully as he saw his old friend enter his household.

"Benjamin," he greeted, shaking his hand in respect.

"Peter," Benjamin replied in the same courteous regard. Mr. Howard's eyes directed towards Evelyn as he spotted her beside Ben. His eyes widened in amazement.

"This is not Evelyn Moore is it Ben?" he inquired with unbelievable tone.

"Yes it is Mr. Howard," Benjamin replied with a playful smile. Mr. Howard's face lit up at the sight of the old friend of his daughter.

"Nice to see you again Mr. Howard," Evelyn greeted with a smile upon her face.

"How did she-?" he began to question but Ben raised his hand with a smile still seen upon his face.

"It's a long story, believe me," Benjamin informed. "I got to ask you for a few things though if you don't mind."

"Not at all Ben, just give me the list and I'll give whatever it is you need in return," Mr. Howard replied. Benjamin checked his trousers, reaching his hand in his pocket. He pulled out a piece of paper with a list of needed supplies. Mr. Howard grasped it in return glancing down at the piece of parchment observantly.

"When do you need all this by Ben?" he queried.

"How soon can you get it?" Ben questioned in return.

"I can get it tonight and give it to you tomorrow morning if that's as soon as you need," Mr. Howard replied.

"That's perfect. By the way is my son here?" Ben asked glancing the hallway.

"Yes, he came in just before you did. He came to call on my daughter," Mr. Howard replied. Suddenly Mrs. Howard came into the room noticing their newly arrived guests.

"Benjamin Martin, good to see you," she greeted in politeness.

"It's good to see you too Mrs. Howard," Ben greeted in return.

"Do you wish to stay for a while? I'm just making some tea," Mrs. Howard informed with a smile.

"Tea sounds nice thank you," Benjamin commented with a small smile. "How 'bout you Evelyn?"

"Yes please," Evelyn replied politely.

"Come in, sit down," Mrs. Howard urged on, leading them into the small living room, enjoying their company.

Later on, as soon as it became late evening, Benjamin left the Howard's house, entering into the church alone. Evelyn stood outside, feeling the cool breeze brush upon her face. She stood there beside her horse, stroking its nose gently as she looked out towards the woods. Gabriel was over at the Howard home, staying over for the evening. Evelyn remained outside with the wagons, wanting to sleep outside after being used to it for so long. Even though the Howard family invited her to sleep within their home for the night, she found it rather impossible to sleep within the bed.

She heard a noise coming from the church; she turned noticing Benjamin exit from its boundaries. His face was rather expressionless, perhaps sorrowful if you would look hard enough from his losses. Evelyn walked up to him slowly, hugging the coat around her shoulders.

"You all right Mr. Martin?" she questioned with concern as he stopped in front of her. Benjamin sighed nodding in approval.
"Yeah I'll be fine, don't you worry," he replied with a hushed tone. Evelyn sort of sighed unable to speak for it felt rather awkward. He began to pass her saying his goodnight. As he was about a few feet away from her she spoke.

"You're not alone Ben," she informed in a comforting voice. He stopped in his tracks as she turned towards him her eyes facing the ground with great thought.

"I know," he replied in a quiet tone. "Get some sleep, you'll need it."

Benjamin left into the Howard home, taking the guest room as Evelyn walked over towards the wagon, placing a rolled blanket upon the bottom of the wooden surface, wrapping her coat around her shoulders and hoped to fall asleep under the starry sky.

The next morning, Evelyn awoke from a slight shove on the shoulder.

"Wake up," a voice whispered. Evelyn's eyes opened wearily seeing Dan Scott linger over her his hand on her arm.

"What is it?" she questioned as she sat up.

"Mr. Martin wants to start packing and make for Black Swan," Dan replied. Evelyn nodded in approval, hopping out of the wagon, throwing her jacket on. She followed the others where the supplies were placed on the ground by boxes and barrels. She lifted a few of them, noticing there wasn't much there to begin with. As they loaded the inventory upon the wagons, Benjamin appeared outside talking to Mr. Howard.

Evelyn walked over towards him, greeting Mr. Howard politely for the morning. She noticed Gabriel saying his goodbyes to Anne a few feet away.

"That Gabriel, he sure reminds me a lot of you," Mr. Howard commented as he watched Gabriel farewell Anne.

"No, no, he's more like his mother," Benjamin objected in a hushed voice. He smiled looking over at Evelyn whom was laughing at his expression rather quietly.

"Corporal, take your time," he called out in a rather sarcastic way. "Dogs!"

The two Danes instantly followed his command, barking in excitement for their journey on. Evelyn smiled as she saw Gabriel and Anne kiss goodbye; she tipped her rimmed hat at Mr. Howard.
"Take care of yourself," Mr. Howard replied with a smile. She mounted onto her horse, following the men down the path trying to catch up with Benjamin. As she did, she trotted beside him.

"So where to now, Colonel?" she questioned rather anxiously.

"We'll head back to the mission, drop off our supplies and then head for the main road about a few miles from Black Swan. Perhaps we'll catch some Redcoats on our way," Benjamin replied.

Suddenly Gabriel approached them on his horse, smiling at his father, revealing his black-stained teeth. Benjamin looked at him normally then realized his smile was covered in ink. He just smirked in return. Evelyn nearly laughed at the colonel's expression as he noticed his son's appearance. They arrived back at Black Swan, reloading their rifles and muskets with newly owned bullets and gunpowder. Benjamin replayed the plan to Jean and the others in order to show exactly what to do. All of them nodded in approval and understanding, making their way out of the swamp once again.

The day was becoming brighter from mid-day as the men rode towards the route of the Redcoat's path. Benjamin ordered them to hide within the trees as he spotted the Redcoats a few yards away. He remained out in the middle of the path; as they came in front of him, they halted their wagons and soldiers.

"Leave your wagons and go, these are in the hands of the militia," Benjamin ordered. The main officer that stared directly at him took out his weapon.

"Ready arms!" he called out without hesitation. Benjamin whistled for his signal; the militia came out from the trees, readying their rifles towards them. Evelyn stood beside Gabriel trying to keep her expression as austere as possible.

"Surrender the wagons!" Benjamin demanded.

"This is the King's highway. Now I order you to step aside," the lead officer of the Redcoats announced. Suddenly the wagon covers were pulled off revealing more soldiers, who instantly jumped out aligning their shot rather efficiently beside one another. Evelyn looked up with the others as she suddenly heard the cry of horses from above them. Her eyes widened as she saw Redcoats on horseback ready to charge. She looked back at Benjamin with anxiety.

"FIRE!" he ordered, causing the men to shoot. The Redcoats were hit, while some remained still shooting. The militia retreated to their horses. Evelyn ran, feeling the rush of her heart and nerves take the best of her that she nearly sprinted her way towards her horse.

She saw her companions hit from behind, unable to stop. She mounted on her horse, noticing a bullet hit the tree right next to her as she started off. She followed Billings, the Reverend and a few others who were struggling to break free of Redcoats. But they were outnumbered. She saw her companions surrounding her raise their guns in surrender. She tried to make a run for it, until one of the colonels rushed out in front of her, aiming his gun. She instantly raised her arms in surrender, her rifle in one hand. The colonel nodded his head towards the other captives, forcing her to gather with them. She looked back, noticing that a few escaped just barely. She gathered with the others upon their horses with a hopeless look.

Suddenly, Colonel Tavington appeared at the scene of the group, examining them observantly. Evelyn dropped her gaze as he looked towards her direction.

"You are all to be held as prisoners at Fort Caroline," he announced in an informative tone. "Now if you even attempt to escape from me on our journey there, you will be shot."

Evelyn looked at the Reverend who gazed back at her in the same fear and caution as she. They made their way towards the fort, in a group, surrounded by the colonel and captains in order to not escape from their grasp. Evelyn looked at one of the captains beside her, feeling the sense of cautiousness build within her as she noticed his small pistol on his belt. After a few miles away from the fields and trees, they spotted the fort. It was rather tall from the carved trees forming the protective walls surrounding a massive building of brick. As they approached the gate, a few guarding Redcoats swung the doors open, allowing them to enter. All of the prisoners entered, with the captains still beside them as they closed and locked the doors from behind.

"Dismount off your horses!" one of the captains demanded. The captured prisoners did what they were told without a second thought. They stood upon the dirt ground, glancing over at one another afraid and hopeless. Colonel Tavington dismounted off his horse looking out at the prisoners then towards his captains.

"Bring these men to the prisoners chambers and set up the hanging platform for the next morning. I shall speak to Lord Cornwallis of our prisoners," Tavington explained in a stern tone.

"Yes sir," the captain replied allowing Tavington to pass him towards the brick building. "Place the prisoners within the chambers!"

The captured prisoners were shoved into a gated area outside of the brick building. It was made by thick, strong wood, keeping the men within the boundaries of the fort along with the guards. Evelyn looked out at through the gate as they were locked in, noticing the captains and soldiers test drive the platform for the purpose of hanging. Evelyn's eyes widened as she watched the soldiers prepare for their orders. She turned away from it, staring at the Reverend whom looked deeply troubled as he grasped onto his small Bible.

"What shall we do Reverend?" she questioned in a hushed tone.

"All we can do now is pray and hope for forgiveness Evelyn," he replied in a comforting tone. She nodded, sitting down upon the ground, leaning her back against the brick surface of the home. After an hour passing or so, they noticed Tavington approach them. Evelyn stood, walking up closer towards him with the group.

"On behalf of Lord Cornwallis, I have been ordered to sentence you to death for your crimes against His Majesty and the British army," Tavington announced unyielding. "You shall be hanged for your penalties one by one, until your militia turns themselves in. So I suggest you pray to God that he'll forgive of your killings these past few months."

The militia scattered as they some wept in loss of hope. Tavington stood, examining the lot of them. As he gazed his eyes on one prisoner, they stared in question. Evelyn stared back at him blankly. Suddenly his eyes widened as he recognized the familiar face. She turned away from him as he sprinted back up the stone steps in order to speak with Cornwallis.

He burst through the door unthinkingly, disturbing Lord Cornwallis as he studied through the maps with his higher officers.

"My Lord, may I talk to you privately?" Tavington queried in a rather rushed tone.

"What is this about Colonel?" Cornwallis questioned in an annoyed way.

"It involves one of the prisoners my Lord," Tavington replied. Cornwallis nodded his officers into the other study room, leaving him alone with Tavington and his second in command.

"Make it quick," Cornwallis commanded in a quiet tone. Tavington stood a few feet in front of the general.

"I believe that one of the prisoners is one of the continental's high ranked spies," Tavington lied. "I wish to converse with him and hold him here away from the other prisoners."

"Why on earth would you do that Colonel?" Cornwallis queried feeling his idea was unnecessary.

"If we get one of the Continental's spies, perhaps we will get to know more of the whereabouts of their hiding," Tavington explained in a rather convincing way. Cornwallis looked at him for a moment, his face flat, his mind troubled at the thought.

"Very well, bring him in and I shall converse with him," Cornwallis informed getting out of his seat.

"No need my Lord, I shall handle it by my own means," Tavington remarked. Cornwallis stared at him for another moment then nodded.

"Very well," he approved. Tavington bowed slightly, departing from the room, leaving the old general with his second in command.

"Sometimes I wonder why I put up with that man," he sighed, looking back at his paper work trying to not be too concerned about Tavington's strange behavior.